Input device with fingerprint recognition

ABSTRACT

An input device having a fingerprint detection function is provided with operating portions for carrying out operations of a host device. The input device includes a device body connected to the host device, a fingerprint detecting portion provided in an upper surface of the device body and serving to detect the fingerprint of the user, and an opening portion for exposing the fingerprint detecting portion to the exterior.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an input device which can inputoperation signals to host equipment.

Electronic Data Interchanges (commercial dealings) carried out through anetwork such as the Internet, etc. are carried out by informationprocessing apparatus such as personal computers, mobile telephones orPDAs (Personal Digital Assistants), etc. In Electronic DataInterchanges, in order to realize the safety of dealings, there areinstances in which a fingerprint, which is one form ofbio-identification information, is collated with fingerprints registeredin advance to thereby carry out certification with respect to theopponents in the dealings. This fingerprint collation is carried out byordinarily connecting a fingerprint collating device to an informationprocessing apparatus.

Moreover, a mouse for specifying an operating position on a computerscreen, a keyboard for inputting characters and/or symbols, etc., and adrive unit for loading an external memory device, such as a memory card,etc., are connected to the information processing apparatus asperipheral equipment.

However, since there ordinarily are only several connecting portions forconnecting peripheral equipment provided in the information processingapparatus, there are instances where a fingerprint collating unit cannotbe newly connected. Further, in order to connect a fingerprint collatingdevice, it is difficult to carry out connection/exchange with respect toperipheral equipment already connected to the information processingapparatus. In addition, the peripheral equipment which has been detachedfrom the information processing apparatus could not be used for thattime.

Meanwhile, in general, fingerprint detection methods for realizing thefingerprint collation function include an optical detection method ofpicking up the image of a fingertip using an image pick-up device, andan electrostatic capacity detection method of forming a capacitor todetect differences in capacitance depending on the fingerprint. Further,in order to connect to the information processing apparatus as aperipheral device, the electrostatic capacity type is advantageous forthe purpose of suppressing enlargement of the equipment. In thefingerprint detection method of the electrostatic capacity type, asshown in FIG. 12, a barrier metal 102 consisting of Ti, etc. is formedon a substrate 101 where there are formed elements such as transistors,etc. which constitute a fingerprint sensor 100. At the upper surface ofthe barrier metal 102, metallic wiring (Al wiring) 103 is formed. Apassivation film 105 consisting of silicon nitride film or silicon oxidefilm is formed at the uppermost layer of the substrate 101.

At the fingerprint sensor 100, as the result of a finger touching thepassivation film 105, a capacitor is formed between the Al wiring 103and the finger. The distance d between each Al wire 103 and the fingerchanges in accordance with the uneven state of the finger resulting fromthe fingerprint. Accordingly, at respective capacitors constituting thefingerprint sensor 100, differences in capacitance occur in accordancewith individual fingerprints. By detecting such differences, fingerprintrecognition can be carried out.

However, when the finger of the user is charged with static electricity,the fingerprint sensor 100 cannot precisely detect differences in thecapacitance of the respective capacitors produced by the presence orabsence of the fingerprint, thus failing to precisely detect thefingerprint.

Further, when dust, etc. is deposited on the passivation film 105 of thefingerprint sensor 100, it is impossible to precisely detect thedifferences in capacitance of the respective capacitors, thus failing toprecisely detect the fingerprint.

Also, in fingerprint detection by the optical detection method, whendust, etc. is deposited on the image pick-up unit, such as a CCD or linesensor, etc., it is impossible to precisely pick up the image of anupheaval (rising) line of a fingerprint, thus failing to preciselydetect the fingerprint.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to providean input device adapted so that an IC card having a fingerprintdetection/collation function can be loaded therein to thereby have theability to easily add a fingerprint detection/collation function to aninformation processing apparatus having a limited number of connectingportions for peripheral equipment.

Moreover, an object of the present invention is to enable an IC cardhaving a fingerprint detection/collation function to be loaded in amouse or keyboard, etc. that a user of an information processingapparatus frequently uses with his hand, thereby making it possible toeasily carry out fingerprint detection/collation work.

Further, an object of the present invention is to provide an inputdevice having a fingerprint detection/collation function which removesan electric charge on the fingertip of the user at the time offingerprint detection to thereby have the ability to precisely detectfingerprints.

In addition, an object of the present invention is to provide an inputdevice having a fingerprint detection/collation function which preventsdust, etc. from depositing thereon during times of non-use to therebypermit a sensor unit which detects fingerprints to be kept clean.

In order to attain the above-described objects, an input deviceaccording to the present invention includes a device body having anoperating unit operatively connected to a host device for carrying outoperations of the host device; an opening portion in the device body;and a fingerprint detecting portion assembled in the device body so asto be exposed externally of the device body through the opening portion,the fingerprint detecting portion serving to detect a fingerprint of auser.

In the input device according to the present invention constituted asdescribed above, even in the case the host device has a limited numberof connecting portions, an IC card having a fingerprintdetection/collation function may be loaded with respect to a loadingportion of the input device, thereby making it possible to easily add afingerprint detection/collation function to the host device. Further,since this input device is a device that a user handles frequentlyduring use of the host device, it is easy to press a fingertip onto thefingerprint detecting portion.

Further, the input device according to the present invention includes anopening portion arranged so that the fingerprint detecting portion isexposed externally of the device body, and a shutter member assembled tothe device body and movable between a first position in which theopening portion is open, exposing the fingerprint detecting portion foruse, and a second position in which the opening portion is closed sothat fingerprint detection is not carried out. Accordingly, it ispossible to prevent dust, etc. from being admitted and depositing on thefingerprint detecting portion.

In addition, in accordance with the input device of the presentinvention, the shutter member may be metallic, thereby making itpossible to remove static electricity charged on the finger of the userbefore the detection of fingerprints. Accordingly, the fingerprintdetecting portion can precisely detect the fingerprint of the user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an information processing apparatus towhich a mouse in accordance with the present invention is connected.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the state in which an IC card isbeing loaded with respect to the mouse.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the state in which the IC card hasbeen loaded with respect to the mouse.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the state in which an openingportion in the mouse is closed by a shutter member.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the state in which the openingportion in the mouse is opened by the shutter member.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram explaining the circuit configuration of theinformation processing apparatus and the mouse.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram explaining the circuit configuration of an ICcard having a fingerprint collation function.

FIG. 8 is a schematic view showing an opening/closing operation ofanother shutter member.

FIG. 9 is a schematic view showing an opening/closing operation ofanother shutter member.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing another input device to which thepresent invention is applied.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a further input device to whichthe present invention is applied.

FIG. 12 is a schematic, cross-sectional view showing the use state of afingerprint sensor.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An explanation will now be given with reference to the attached drawingsin connection with a mouse to which an input device according to thepresent invention is applied. As shown in FIG. 1, the mouse 5 is used inan information processing apparatus 1, such as a personal computer,mobile telephone and/or PDA, etc. The information processing apparatuscomprises an apparatus body 2 which includes a hard disk, a CPU (CentralProcessing Unit), and a RAM (Random Access Memory), etc.; a keyboard 3for inputting characters and/or symbols, etc.; a display unit 4comprised of a CRT (Cathode-Ray Tube), a Liquid Crystal panel, etc. onwhich data, etc. processed by a computer are displayed; and the mouse 5serving as a position input device (unit) for specifying an operatingposition on the screen of the display unit 4. The apparatus body 2 andthe keyboard 3 are connected through a connection cable 6, the apparatusbody 2 and the display unit 4 are connected through a connection cable7, and the apparatus body 2 and the mouse 5 are connected through aconnection cable 8.

As shown in FIG. 2, the mouse 5 is formed from a resin material havingrigidity, such as ABS resin, etc., and includes a casing 11 formed sothat the upper portion 11 a of the casing is curved so as to be easilygrasped by the palm of the hand. At the front side of the casing 11where fingertips are positioned when the mouse is grasped by the palm ofthe hand, there are provided a first operating portion 12 caused toundergo a pressing operation by a forefinger, etc., and a secondoperating portion 13 caused to undergo a pressing operation by a middlefinger, etc. When the first operating portion 12 and the secondoperating portion 13 are pressed by the user, they respectively press afirst switch element and a second switch element mounted on a printedcircuit board disposed within the casing 11. Moreover, the connectioncable 8 for carrying out the connection to the apparatus body 2protrudes from a front end 11 b of the casing where the first operatingportion 12 and the second operating portion 13 are provided. Thisconnection cable 8 is connected to the printed circuit board within thecasing 11. Moreover, in order to carry out transmission of data to andreception of data from the apparatus body 2 of the informationprocessing apparatus 1 by a serial interface, signal lines for a serialprotocol bus state signal BS, a serial protocol data signal SDIO, and aserial clock signal SCLK, etc., and a power supply voltage VCC line andground line, etc. are disposed in the connection cable 8. The groundline is connected to a shutter member 20 which will be described later.As a result of the fact that a finger comes into contact with theshutter member 20, static electricity charged on the finger of the useris removed from the fingertip, thus making it possible to preciselydetect the fingerprint of the finger. By the connection cable 8, themouse 5 and the apparatus body 2 are connected by an interfacespecification, e.g., USB (Universal Serial Bus), etc.

A detecting portion 14 for detecting the movement direction and movementquantity of a pointer indicating the operating position displayed on thescreen of the display unit 4 is provided at substantially the centralportion of the bottom surface of the casing 11. The detecting portion 14is composed of a spherical body rotating in accordance with theoperating direction imparted by a user, a first detection element fordetecting a first rotation direction of the spherical body and theamount of rotation in the first rotation direction, and a seconddetection element for detecting a second rotation directionperpendicular to the first rotation direction and the amount of rotationin the second rotation direction. Further, when the first and seconddetection elements detect rotation of the spherical body, the detectingportion 14 moves the pointer displayed on the display unit 4 in theX-axis direction and in the Y-axis direction on the screen.

Further, the upper portion 11 a of the casing 11 is provided with aloading portion 15 for loading the IC card for carrying out fingerprintcollation. The loading portion 15 is continuous with an insertion hole16 for the IC card provided in the upper portion 11 a of the casing 11.The loading portion 15 is formed so as to be substantially the same sizeas the IC card. A bottom surface 15 a of the loading portion 15functions as a guide portion for carrying out insertion/withdrawal ofthe IC card. Further, a connector 18, serving as a connecting portionfor realizing an electrical connection to the IC card, is provided atthe innermost end of the loading portion 15. Further, a guide recessedportion 19 for guiding the insertion/withdrawal of the IC card and forlimiting the loading position thereof is formed at the side surfaces ofthe loading portion 15, parallel to the insertion direction of the ICcard.

The upper portion 11 a of the casing 11 is also provided with asubstantially rectangular opening portion 17 for allowing thefingerprint detecting portion of the IC card loaded with respect to theloading portion 15 to be exposed to the exterior. A side surface 17 a ofthe opening portion 17 includes a curve protruding toward the exterior,and is adapted so that a fingertip is easily inserted in carrying outfingerprint collation and the user does not become tired in view ofhuman-engineering. It is to be noted that the opening portion 17 isprovided so that the connector 18 does not face the exterior, so theoutward appearance of the mouse 5 is not negatively affected.

A shutter member 20 is disposed in the opening portion 17 so that it canopen or close the opening portion. The shutter member 20 ordinarilycloses the opening portion 17 to thereby prevent dust, etc. frominfiltrating into the loading portion 15 and depositing on the connector18 or the fingerprint detecting portion of the IC card. The shuttermember 20 is formed from a conductive material such as a metallic plate,etc. grounded to the earth. The finger of a user comes into contact withthe shutter member 20 before fingerprint detection is carried out tothereby enable the removal of static electricity charged on the finger.Thus, it is possible to precisely detect the fingerprint.

The shutter member 20 is formed with a substantially rectangular shapehaving substantially the same dimensions as the opening portion 17 whichfaces the fingerprint detecting portion of the IC card. As the openingportion 17 is opened, the fingerprint detecting portion is exposed tothe exterior. A projecting portion 21 for opening/closing the shuttermember 20 is formed at the end of the shutter member closest to thefront end 11 b of the casing 11. Accordingly, the user moves theprojecting portion 21 toward the rear end 11 c of the casing 11 using afinger, thereby making it possible to open the opening portion 17.

The engagement of a longitudinal side edge of the shutter member 20 witha guide portion 22 formed in the opening portion 17 in the movementdirection of the shutter member 20 guides the opening/closing of theopening portion. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, one end of a biasingmember 24, such as a torsion coil spring or a compression coil spring,etc., is provided at the end of the loading portion 15 closest to therear end 11 c and serves to bias the shutter member 20 in a direction toclose the opening portion 17. Thus, the shutter member 20 is alwaysbiased in the closed direction indicated by arrow A in FIG. 4.

A holding piece 25 is formed on one longitudinal side edge of theshutter member 20. A holding member 26, to be descried later, holds theholding piece 25 in a position in which the shutter member opens theopening portion 17. A substantially L-shaped holding surface 28 isformed in the holding piece 25 in a direction facing the front end 11 bof the casing 11, and an inclined surface 29 having a tapered shape isformed in the holding piece 25 in a direction facing the rear end 11 cof the casing 11. When the shutter member 20 is moved in the directionopposite the direction indicated by arrow A in FIG. 4 to open theopening portion 17, the inclined surface 29 comes into contact with aprojecting portion 27 on holding member 26 to pivot the holding member26 in an upward direction. Continued movement of the shutter member 20in the direction opposite the direction indicated by arrow A in FIG. 4causes the projecting portion 27 of the holding member 26 to engage theholding surface 28 of the holding piece 25. Accordingly, the shuttermember 20, biased in the direction indicated by arrow A in FIG. 4 by thebiasing member 24, is held closer to the rear end 11 c of the casing 11in the state in which the opening portion 17 has been opened.

The holding member 26 which holds the holding piece 25 closer to therear end 11 c of the casing 11 comprises a projecting portion 27 whichengages the holding surface 28 of the holding piece 25, a rotational arm31 provided with the projecting portion 27 at the front end thereof, anextension coil spring 32 for biasing the rotational arm 31 in thedirection indicated by arrow B in FIG. 4 to hold the holding piece 25,and a holding release button 33 adapted to press the rotational arm 31to thereby move the projecting portion 27 in an upward direction andthereby release it from the holding state.

The projecting portion 27 projects from the lower surface of end portion31 a of the rotational arm 31. When the shutter member 20 is moved inthe direction opposite to the direction indicated by arrow A in FIG. 4to open the opening portion 17, the projecting portion 27 comes intocontact with the holding piece 25 formed on the side edge of the shuttermember 20, and is caused to ride onto the upper surface of the holdingpiece 25 by the inclined surface 29 formed with a substantially taperedshape. Further, as the result of the fact that the shutter member 20 ismoved, the projecting portion 27 engages the holding surface 28 to holdthe shutter member 20 closer to the rear end 11 c of the casing 11 inthe state in which the opening portion 17 is open.

The rotational arm 31 is formed by bending a plate-shaped body, and isadapted so that the projecting portion 27 is formed at one end portion31 a bent upwardly and the holding release button 33 which releases theholding state of the projecting portion 27 is disposed at the other endportion 31 b bent downwardly. A supporting member (not shown) isinserted through a supporting portion 35 provided substantially at thecenter of the rotational arm 31, and the rotational arm 31 is rotatablysupported by the supporting member. The extension coil spring 32 whichbiases the rotational arm 31 in the direction indicated by arrow B inFIG. 4 is held at the projecting portion 27 side by the supportingportion 35. Accordingly, the end portion 31 a of the rotational arm 31is always biased in the direction indicated by arrow B in FIG. 4 by theextension coil spring 32.

The holding release button 33 disposed at the other end portion 31 b ofthe rotational arm 31 projects externally from the casing 11, and isadapted so that the user can operate it from outside the casing. Whenthe holding release button 33 is pressed from the outside, it rotatesthe rotational arm 31 in the direction opposite to that indicated byarrow B in FIG. 4 with the supporting portion 35 being a pivot point.Namely, as a result of the end portion 31 b being pressed by the holdingrelease button 33, the rotational arm 31 is rotated in the directionopposite to that indicated by the arrow B against the biasing force ofthe extension coil spring 32. Thus, the projecting portion 27 projectingfrom the end 31 a of the rotational arm 31 is moved in the directionopposite to that indicated by arrow B to release the holding state ofthe holding piece 25 and thereby move the shutter member 20 in thedirection indicated by arrow A.

The shutter member 20 and the holding member 26 as described aboveoperate as follows. First, the shutter member 20 is biased by thebiasing member 24 in the normal state so that it is at the positionwhere the opening portion 17 is closed. At this time, the holding member26 is positioned at the side of holding piece 25 closest to the rear end11 c of the casing 11 so that the end portion 31 a of the rotational arm31 from which the projecting portion 27 projects is biased by theextension coil spring 32 in the direction indicated by arrow B in FIG.4.

Then, in order to open the opening portion 17 to expose the fingerprintdetecting portion of the IC card, the shutter member 20 is moved towardthe rear end 11 c of the casing 11. When the shutter member 20 is movedtoward the rear end 11 c, the projecting portion 27 comes into contactwith the substantially taper-shaped inclined surface 29 formed at theside of the holding piece 25 facing the rear end 11 c, and is caused toride onto the upper surface of the holding piece 25. Further, when theshutter member 20 is moved toward the rear end 11 c, the projectingportion 27 engages the holding surface 28 of the holding piece 25 as theresult of the fact that the end portion 31 a of the rotational arm 31 isbiased by the extension coil spring 32. Thus, the shutter member 20 isheld closer to the rear end 11 c of the casing 11 as the result of thefact that the holding piece 25 is held by the projecting portion 27against the biasing force of the biasing member 24. Accordingly, theopening portion 17 is opened so that the fingerprint detecting portionof the IC card loaded in the loading portion 15 is exposed. As a result,the user can easily carry out collation of his or her fingerprint.

Then, when fingerprint collation has been completed, the shutter member20 is moved in the direction indicated by arrow A in FIG. 4 to close theopening portion 17 in order to protect the fingerprint detecting portionand the connector 18 from dust, etc. At this time, when the holdingrelease button 33 protruding from the side surface of the casing 11 ispressed inwardly by the user, it presses the end portion 31 b of therotational arm 31. As a result, the end portion 31 a is rotated in thedirection opposite to that indicated by arrow B in FIG. 4 and againstthe biasing force of the extension coil spring 32, with the supportingportion 35 being a pivot point. Accordingly, the projecting portion 27projecting from the end portion 31 a is also moved in the directionopposite to the direction indicated by arrow B in FIG. 4, therebyreleasing the holding surface 28 of the holding piece 25 from theholding state. Thus, the shutter member 20 is moved in the directionindicated by arrow A in FIG. 4 by the biasing force of the biasingmember 24 to close the opening portion 17.

Next, the IC card 40 loaded with respect to the loading portion 15 willbe explained with reference to FIG. 2. The IC card 40 includes asubstantially rectangular plate-shaped card body 41 which constitutes acasing formed by molding a synthetic resin. Included within the cardbody 41 is a printed circuit board on which is mounted one or moresemiconductor elements constituting a fingerprint sensor and controlcircuits therefor.

Terminal portions 42 comprised of plural electrodes are formed on oneshort side of the card body 41 so as to extend from the front endserving as the insertion end of the IC card 40 with respect to theloading portion 15 toward the bottom surface thereof. The transmissionof data to and reception of data from the loading portion 15 is carriedout by a serial interface. In a practical sense, the terminal portion 42at least includes an input terminal for a serial protocol bus statesignal, an input terminal for a serial protocol data signal, an inputterminal for a serial clock and a power supply terminal.

Moreover, at one corner of the front end of the card body 41 where theterminal portions 42 are formed, a chamfered portion 43 is provided inorder that the user can easily determine the insertion direction withrespect to the loading portion 15. In addition, the upper surface of thecard body 41 at the read end thereof is provided with a fingerprintdetecting portion 51 adapted to detect the fingerprint of the user asthe fingertip of the user is pressed against it.

A method of inserting the IC card 40 as described above with respect tothe loading portion 15 will now be explained. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3,the IC card 40 is inserted into the insertion hole 16 of the casing 11so that the upper surface of the card body 41 faces upwardly and thefront end of the card body 41 at which the terminal portions 42 areprovided is the insertion end. At this time, the IC card 40 is insertedinto the loading portion 15 while being guided by the guide recessedportion 19 and the bottom surface 15 a. Thus, the terminal portions 42of the IC card are electrically connected to the connector 18 of theloading portion 15. The IC card 40 can be removed from the loadingportion 15 by sliding the IC card 40 in the direction of the insertionhole 16.

It is to be noted that, in addition to the IC card 40 for fingerprintcollation, an IC card having a memory element used as an external memoryunit of the information processing apparatus 1 may be loaded withrespect to the loading portion 15.

The circuit configuration of the information processing apparatus 1 towhich mouse 5 as described above is connected will now be explained. Asshown in FIG. 6, the information processing apparatus 1 is an apparatushaving substantially the same configuration as an ordinary personalcomputer, and comprises a hard disk 61 serving as a memory unit in whichvarious application programs and/or processing data, etc. are preserved(stored), a Random Access Memory (hereinafter simply refereed to as aRAM) 62 in which programs, etc. preserved on the hard disk 61 areloaded, an interface 63 such as a USB, etc. to which keyboard 3 and/ormouse 5 are connected, a display unit 64 for displaying data, etc. to beprocessed, and a Central Processing Unit (hereinafter refereed to as aCPU) for controlling the entire operation of the information processingapparatus 1 on the basis of the programs, etc. loaded in the RAM 62. Onthe basis of input from the keyboard and/or the mouse 5, the CPU reads apredetermined application from the hard disk 61 into the RAM 62 todisplay it on the display unit 64 and to carry out data processing. TheCPU 65 is adapted so that when a user attempts to access a specificcomputer, or attempts to access a specific file preserved on the harddisk 61, it displays its effect on the display unit 64 in order to carryout a request for certification by fingerprint collation. Only when theCPU 65 receives a certification signal from the IC card 40 indicatingthat certification has been obtained by fingerprint collation does itpermit access to a specific computer or access to a specific filepreserved on the hard disk 61.

The mouse 5 connected to the information processing apparatus 1 throughthe interface 63 comprises, as shown in FIG. 6, a first switch element71 pressed by the first operating portion 12 provided in the casing 11,a second switch element 72 pressed by the second operating portion 13provided in the casing 11, the detecting portion 14 for detecting therotation direction and rotation quantity of the spherical body, aserial/parallel parallel/serial interface 73 for carrying outtransmission of data to and reception of data from the IC card 40 loadedwith respect to the loading portion 15, a control unit 74 for generatingan operating signal output to the information processing apparatus 1 onthe basis of signals input from the first switch element 71, the secondswitch element 72 and the detecting unit 14, and a hub 75 forselectively outputting a signal from the interface 73 and a signal fromthe control unit 74 to the information processing apparatus 1.

When an input is provided from the first switch 71, the control unit 74generates a first operating signal to output it to the informationprocessing apparatus 1 through the hub 75. When an input from the secondswitch element 72 is provided, the control unit 74 generates a secondoperating signal to output it to the information processing apparatus 1through the hub 75. Moreover, when a rotation direction and rotationquantity of the spherical body are input from the detecting portion 14,the control unit 74 generates a third operating signal correspondingthereto to output it to the information processing apparatus 1 throughthe hub 75. The information processing apparatus 1 is supplied with thefirst to third operating signals from the mouse 5 through the interface63. Thus, the CPU 65 carries out data processing corresponding to thefirst operating signal or the second operating signal, and moves apointer displayed on the screen of the display unit 64 in accordancewith the third operating signal.

Further, when the IC card 40 is loaded with respect to the loadingportion 15 and a certification signal or non-certification signal isinput from the IC card 40 through the interface 73, the hub 75 outputsthese signals to the interface 63 of the information processingapparatus 1. At the information processing apparatus 1, when acertification signal is input through the interface 63, the CPU 65permits access to a specific computer or access to a specific filepreserved on the hard disk 61, etc. When a non-certification signal isinput, the CPU 65 prevents access to a specific computer or access to aspecific file preserved on the hard disk 61.

The circuit configuration of the IC card 40 loaded with respect to theloading portion 15 of the mouse 5 will now be explained. The IC card 40comprises, as shown in FIG. 7, the fingerprint detecting portion 51 ontowhich the fingertip of the user is pressed, a first memory 52 forstoring registered fingerprints, a collation unit 53 for collatingfingerprints input from the fingerprint detecting unit 51 andfingerprints preserved in the first memory 52, a second memory 54 forstoring the serial number of the IC card 40 and information relating tothe fingerprints registered in the first memory 52, a serial/parallelparallel/serial interface 55 for carrying out transmission ofcertification signals to and reception of certification signals from themouse 5, and a control unit 56 for controlling the entire operation ofthe IC card 40.

The fingerprint detecting portion 51 includes a fingerprint sensor inwhich a barrier metal consisting of Ti, etc. and/or metallic wiring suchas Al, etc. are formed on a substrate in which elements such astransistors, etc. are formed. A passivation film consisting of aninsulating material is formed at the uppermost layer of the substrate.As a result of a finger of the user pressing against the passivationlayer, a capacitor is formed in the fingerprint sensor between thefinger and the metallic wiring. Since the distance between each metallicwiring and the finger changes in accordance with the uneven state of thefingerprint, differences occur in the capacity of the respectivecapacitors constituting the fingerprint sensor. The fingerprintdetecting portion 51 detects these differences to thereby extractfeature points of the fingerprint, e.g., branch or center of skinupheaval lines. Further, when the fingerprint registration is carriedout, the fingerprint detecting portion 51 outputs to the first memory 52fingerprint data consisting of feature points of the fingerprint. Thefingerprint data consisting of feature points of the fingerprint to beregistered is preserved in the first memory 52 for every identificationnumber. When fingerprint collation is carried out, the fingerprintdetecting portion 51 outputs the fingerprint data to the collation unit53.

When fingerprint collation is carried out, the collation unit 53collates the fingerprint data input from the fingerprint detectingportion 51 and the fingerprint data stored in the first memory 52 tocarry out certification of the user. When the fingerprint data which hasbeen input from the fingerprint detecting unit 51 and the fingerprintdata which has been read out from the first memory 52 correspond witheach other indicating certification, the collation unit 53 outputs acertification signal to the interface 55. When the fingerprint datawhich has been input from the fingerprint detecting unit 51 and thefingerprint data which has been read out from the first memory 52 do notcorrespond with each other indicating no certification, the collationunit 53 outputs a non-certification signal to the interface 55.

Information relating to the fingerprint data registered in the firstmemory 52 is preserved in the second memory 54. Specifically, names orID numbers of the fingerprint registrant and serial numbers of the ICcards are preserved in the second memory 54 as related information.Further, when a certification is made at the collation unit 53, thesecond memory 54 outputs to the interface 55, along with thecertification signal, data of the user for which certification has beenmade.

The control unit 56 serves to control the entirety of the IC card 40,and drives the fingerprint detecting portion 51 when a fingertip ispressed onto the fingerprint detecting portion 51 and controls theoperation of writing fingerprint data to be registered into the firstmemory 52, the operation of writing information relating to theregistered fingerprint data into the second memory 54, and the operationof reading out this related information.

It is to be noted that the IC card 40 is driven by power supplied fromthe apparatus body 2 through the mouse 5. Of course, the IC card 40 maybe driven by an included battery.

Next, a series of operations from the time the IC card 40 is loaded withrespect to the loading portion 15 of the mouse 5 until fingerprintcollation is carried out will be explained.

First, a method of loading the IC card 40 with respect to the loadingportion 15 will be explained. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the IC card 40is inserted into the insertion hole 16 of the casing 11 so that theupper surface of the card body 41 faces upwardly and the front end ofthe card body 41 at which the terminal portions 42 are provided is theinsertion end. At this time, the IC card 40 is inserted into the loadingportion 15 while being guided by the guide recessed portion 19 and thebottom surface 15 a. Thus, the terminal portions 42 of the IC card 40are electrically connected to the connector 18 of the loading portion15. When the IC card 40 is completely loaded with respect to the loadingportion 15, the opening portion 17 is opened so that the fingerprintdetecting portion 51 is exposed.

A method of registering a fingerprint with respect to the IC card 40will next be explained. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, when the useroperates the keyboard 3 or the mouse 5, the control unit 56 of the ICcard 40 first receives a command from the information processingapparatus 1 to place it in a fingerprint registration mode. The userallows his fingertip to come into contact with the shutter member 20 tothereby remove static electricity charged on the finger, and thereafterto move the shutter member 20 toward the rear end 11 c of the casing 11so as to open the opening portion 17. Then, when the user inserts hisfingertip through the opening portion 17 and into contact with thefingerprint detecting portion 51, the fingerprint detecting portion 51detects any differences in capacitance taking place in the respectivecapacitors constituting the fingerprint sensor to thereby extractfeature points of the fingerprint, e.g., branch or center of skinupheaval lines to generate fingerprint data. At this time, since anystatic electricity charged on the finger of the user has been removed bythe shutter member 20, the fingerprint detecting portion 51 canprecisely detect differences in capacitance and can precisely detect thefingerprint. Further, the fingerprint detecting portion 51 adds an IDnumber to the fingerprint data and outputs it to the first memory 52.Thus, the fingerprint data of the user is preserved, i.e., registered,in the first memory 52.

It is to be noted that information relating to the fingerprint data tobe registered can be preserved in the IC card 40. Namely, in theinformation processing apparatus 1, the user operates the keyboard 3 orthe mouse 5 to thereby input the name or ID number of the fingerprintregistrant with respect to the IC card 40, thus making it possible torecord this input data into the second memory 54 of the IC card 40through the mouse 5 connected to the interface 63.

Next, a method of collating fingerprints will be explained. When a userattempts to access a specific computer, or attempts to access a specificfile preserved on the hard disk 61, etc. through use of the keyboard 3or the mouse 5 serving as an operating unit of the informationprocessing apparatus 1, the CPU 65 displays a request for certificationby fingerprint collation on the display unit 64 as shown in FIG. 6.

In response thereto, as shown in FIG. 3, the user removes staticelectricity and thereafter moves the shutter member 20 to open theopening portion 17. The user then inserts his fingertip through theopening portion 17 and presses it onto the fingerprint detecting portion51 of the IC card 40 loaded with respect to the loading portion 15 ofthe mouse 5. The fingerprint detecting portion 51 detects anydifferences in capacitance taking place in the respective capacitorsconstituting the fingerprint sensor to thereby extract feature points ofthe fingerprint, e.g., branch or center of skin upheaval lines. Fromthis, fingerprint data is generated and output to the collation unit 53.The collation unit 53 reads out registered fingerprint data from thefirst memory 52 and collates it with fingerprint data which has beeninput from the fingerprint detecting portion 51. When the fingerprintdata which has been input from the fingerprint detecting portion 51 andthe fingerprint data which has been read out from the first memory 52correspond with each other indicating certification, the collation unit53 outputs a certification signal to the interface 55. Along with this,the control unit 56 outputs to the interface 55 related information ofthe user for which certification has been made. When the informationprocessing apparatus 1 has received the certification signal through themouse 5, the CPU 65 permits access to a specific computer, or access toa specific file preserved on the hard disk 61.

Further, when the fingerprint data which has been input from thefingerprint detecting portion 51 and the fingerprint data which has beenread out from the first memory 52 do not correspond with each otherindicating no certification has been made, the collation unit 53 outputsa non-certification signal to the interface 55. When the informationprocessing apparatus 1 has received the non-certification signal throughthe mouse 5, the CPU 65 prevents access to a specific computer, oraccess to a specific file preserved on the hard disk 61.

It is to be noted that the operation of removing the IC card 40 from theloading portion 15 can be carried out by sliding the IC 40 card in thedirection of the insertion hole 16 through the opening portion 17.

An IC card having a memory element used as an external memory unit ofthe information processing apparatus 1 also can be loaded with respectto the loading portion 15. In this case, the CPU 65 executes anapplication program preserved on the hard disk 61 to thereby read outdata, such as a file name or a data size, etc., from a memory element,such as a flash memory, etc., within the IC card. Further, in accordancewith an operating signal input from the keyboard 3 or the mouse 5, theCPU 65 reads out data from a memory element of an IC card loaded withrespect to the loading portion 15 of the mouse 5, and writes data intothe memory element.

In accordance with the mouse 5 which is an input device of theinformation processing apparatus 1 as described above, even in the casein which the information processing apparatus 1 has only a fewconnecting portions which connect to the peripheral equipment, the ICcard 40 having the fingerprint detection/collation function may beloaded with respect to the loading portion 15 of the mouse 5, therebymaking it possible to easily add fingerprint detection/collationprocessing to the information processing apparatus 1.

Moreover, in accordance with the mouse 5 which is an input device of theinformation processing apparatus 1 as described above, since the shuttermember 20 is provided in the opening portion 17 which faces the loadingportion 15 in which the IC card 40 is to be loaded, it prevents dust,etc. from being admitted into the loading portion 15 when the IC card 40is not loaded. Thus, it is possible to prevent the connector 18 frombecoming coated by dust, etc. Further, when the IC card 40 is loaded inthe mouse 5, it prevents dust, etc. from depositing on the fingerprintdetecting portion. Thus, it is possible to precisely detectfingerprints. Further, since the shutter member 20 of the mouse 5consists of a conductive material connected to the earth, if the usertouches the shutter member 20 before detecting his fingerprint, it ispossible to remove static electricity charged on his finger.Accordingly, in the fingerprint detection method using the electrostaticcapacity detection method, it is possible to precisely detectdifferences in capacitance of the respective capacitors constituting thefingerprint sensor. Thus, it is possible to precisely identifyfingerprints. In addition to the above, since the mouse 5 is theperipheral device that the user most frequently handles at the time ofuse of the information processing apparatus 1, and the operation ofpressing the fingertip onto the fingerprint detecting portion 51 can becarried out by this mouse 5, convenience in use in carrying outfingerprint collation can be improved. Also, the loading portion 15provided in the mouse 5 can be used for both the IC card 40 forfingerprint collation and the IC card for memory. In addition, since theopening portion 17 which faces the fingerprint detecting portion 51 isprovided in the upper portion 11 a of the casing 11, it is possible toeasily carry out fingerprint collation work.

The input device to which the present invention is applied also may beformed as follows. It is to be noted that the same reference numeralsare respectively used for the same members as in the above-describedmouse 5, and their detail will be omitted. As shown in FIG. 8, a shuttermember 80 which opens or closes opening portion 17 of this mouse 5 isformed so as to have a substantially rectangular shape havingsubstantially the same dimensions as the opening portion 17, similarlyto the above-mentioned shutter member 20. A projecting portion 81 isformed on the shutter member 80 so as to face upwardly. Further, theshutter member 80 is formed from a conductive material such as ametallic plate, etc. grounded to the earth. The finger of a user comesinto contact with the shutter member 80 before fingerprint detection iscarried out, thereby making it possible to remove static electricitycharged on the finger. Thus, it is possible to precisely detect thefingerprint.

The shutter member 80 is engaged with a guide portion 22 formed at aside edge portion of opening portion 17 so that the opening/closing ofthe opening portion 17 is guided. A holding portion 82 is provided onone side edge of the shutter member 80. The holding portion 82 holds atorsion coil spring 83 provided on one side of the loading portion 15which feeds the shutter member 80 in the opening/closing directions.

The torsion coil spring 83 has one end portion 83 a rotatably held atthe holding portion 82 of the shutter member 80, and the other endportion 83 b rotatably held at a holding projection of casing 11 (notshown). In the state in which the shutter member 80 closes the openingportion 17, the torsion coil spring 83 biases the shutter member 80 inthe direction indicated by arrow C in FIG. 8 to close the openingportion 17 as shown in FIG. 8. However, when the shutter member 80 isplaced in the state in which the opening portion 17 is open, the torsioncoil spring 83 biases the shutter member 80 in the direction opposite tothat indicated by arrow C in FIG. 9 to open the opening portion 17 asshown in FIG. 9. Accordingly, the shutter member 80 is fed in theopening or closing directions by the user until a middle portion atwhich the torsional coil spring 83 is inverted. As a result of the factthat the biasing direction is changed, the shutter member 80 is fed inthe direction of rear end 11 c or in the direction of front end 11 b ofthe casing 11, thus making it possible to carry out opening/closingoperations of the opening portion 17.

Namely, when the shutter member 80 is moved from the state in which theshutter member 80 closes the opening portion 17 toward the rear end 11 cof the casing 11, the end portion 83 a of the torsion spring 83 held bythe holding portion 82 of the shutter member 80 is also moved toward therear end 11 c of the casing as shown in FIG. 9. As the end portion 83 apasses the other end portion 83 b held at the holding projectionprovided on the casing 11, the torsion coil spring 83 is inverted withthe end portion 83 b held at the holding projection acting as a pivotpoint. Thus, the torsion coil spring 83 biases the shutter member 80toward the rear end 11 c of the casing 11.

Further, when the shutter member 80 is moved from the state in which theopening portion 17 is open toward the front end 11 b of the casing 11,the end portion 83 a of the torsion spring 83 held by the holdingportion 82 of the shutter member 80 is also moved toward the front end11 b of the casing, as shown in FIG. 8. As the end portion 83 a passesthe other end portion 83 b held at the holding projection provided onthe casing 11, the torsion coil spring 83 is inverted with the endportion 83 b acting as a pivot point. Thus, the torsion coil spring 83biases the shutter member 80 toward the front end 11 b of the casing.

In an input device provided with such shutter member 80, it is possibleto bias the shutter member 80 in the opening direction or in the closingdirection of the opening portion 17 by the biasing force of the torsioncoil spring 83. Accordingly, in such input device, the user first allowsthe shutter member 80 to undergo a feed operation, thereby making itpossible to automatically open or close the opening portion 17.Moreover, in accordance with this input device, since the shutter member80 is provided in the opening portion 17 which faces the loading portion15 in which the IC card 40 is to be loaded, it prevents dust, etc. frombeing admitted into the loading portion 15 when the IC card 40 is notloaded therein. Thus, it is possible to prevent the connector 18 frombecoming coated by dust, etc. Further, in accordance with this inputdevice, when the IC card 40 is loaded within the loading portion 15, itis possible to prevent dust, etc. from being deposited on thefingerprint detecting portion 51. Thus, it is possible to preciselydetect fingerprints. Further, since the shutter member 80 consists of aconductive material connected to the earth, if the user contacts theshutter member 80 before fingerprint detection, it is possible to removestatic electricity charged on his finger. Accordingly, in thefingerprint detection method using the electrostatic capacity typedetection method, it is possible to precisely detect differences incapacitance of the respective capacitors constituting the fingerprintsensor. Thus, it is possible to precisely identify fingerprints.

It is to be noted that while an explanation has been given of an inputdevice adapted so that an IC card having a fingerprint collationfunction is loaded from the front end 11 b side of the casing 11 of themouse 5, the present invention may be adapted so that the IC card 40 isloaded from the rear end 11 c side of the casing 11, as shown in FIG.10. Moreover, in the present invention, the opening portion 17 may beopen at all times without providing the shutter member 20. It is to benoted that while an example has been explained in which the mouse 5 isprovided with a loading portion 15 having an IC card 40 with afingerprint collation function loaded therein, the present invention maybe formed as an input device in which a fingerprint detection functionis included by providing a fingerprint detecting portion and/or amemory, etc. within the casing without using the IC card 40 having thefingerprint collation function.

Further, the input device to which the present invention is applied isusable not only for the electrostatic capacity type detection method,but also for the optical type detection method. In the optical detectionmethod, the fingerprint detecting portion of the IC card 40 includes animage pick-up unit, such as a CCD or a line sensor, etc., and a backlight for irradiating a pressing portion onto which the fingertip ispressed. When a finger is pressed against the fingerprint detectingportion, the back light is turned ON to pick up the image of thefingerprint at the image pick-up unit. The fingerprint detecting portionextracts feature points of the fingerprint, e.g., branch or center ofskin upheaval lines from the imaged fingerprint. When a fingerprintregistration is carried out, the fingerprint detecting portion outputsto the first memory 52 fingerprint data consisting of feature points ofthe fingerprint. Further, fingerprint data consisting of feature pointsof a fingerprint to be registered is preserved in the first memory 52for every identification number. The fingerprint detecting portionoutputs the fingerprint data to the collation unit 53 when fingerprintcollation is carried out.

In the input device provided with a fingerprint detecting portion usingthe optical type detection method, the provision of the shutter member20 which opens or closes the opening portion 17 which faces thefingerprint detecting portion prevents dust, etc. from being admittedinto the loading portion 15 when an IC card 40 is not loaded therein.Thus, it is possible to prevent the connector 18 from becoming coated bydust, etc. In addition, when an IC card 40 is loaded within loadingportion 15, dust, etc. is prevented from being deposited on the imagepick-up unit such as a CCD, etc. Thus, it is possible to preciselydetect fingerprints.

It is to be noted that, in the present invention, in addition to themouse 5 as described above, an IC card 40 having a fingerprint collationfunction may be loaded with respect to various input devices such as aremote control device for carrying out remote control of electronicequipment, etc. For example, the present invention may be applied to akeyboard 3 that, along with the mouse 5, is most frequently handled bythe user at the time the information processing apparatus 1 is used. Asshown in FIG. 11, the loading portion 15 is provided in keyboard 3 insuch a manner that an insertion hole 16 is provided on a side surface 3b of the keyboard 3 adjacent an upper surface 3 a thereof. Further, anopening portion 17 for exposing the fingerprint detecting portion 51 ofthe IC card 40 to the exterior is provided at the upper surface 3 a soas to make it easy to carry out fingerprint collation work. The openingportion 17 is adapted to have an opening on the side surface 3 b of thekeyboard 3 to make it easy to take out the IC card 40 through theinsertion hole 16. Further, a side surface 17 a of the opening portion17 includes a curve protruding toward the exterior, and is adapted sothat a fingertip is easily inserted in carrying out fingerprintcollation and the user does not become tired in view ofhuman-engineering. Further, shutter member 20 is disposed in the openingportion 17 to prevent dust, etc. from being deposited on connector 18with respect to an IC card 40 inserted within the loading portion 15and/or a fingerprint detecting portion 51 of the IC card, and forremoving static electricity charged on the finger of the user duringfingerprint collation. It is to be noted that an IC card as an externalmemory unit may be loaded with respect to the loading portion 15.

Moreover, the connection between the information processing apparatus 1and the mouse 5 is not limited to the above-described USB, but aninterface such as IEEE (Institute of Electrical and ElectronicsEngineers) 1394, etc. may be employed, and both wired systems andwireless systems may be employed. Further, the transmission/reception ofdata between the IC card 40 attached at the loading portion 15 and themouse 5 also may be carried out by a wireless system. In addition, it ispossible to load plural IC cards in the loading portion 15. In thiscase, an IC card 40 for fingerprint collation and an IC card for memorymay be loaded in the loading portion 15, e.g., in a laminated manner.

As explained above in detail, in accordance with the input device of thepresent invention, even in the case of host equipment having only a fewconnecting portions, an IC card having a fingerprint collation functionmay be loaded with respect to a loading portion of the input device,thereby making it possible to easily add a fingerprint collationfunction to the host equipment. Further, since this input device is adevice that a user most frequently handles at the time the hostequipment is used, it is easy to press a fingertip onto the fingerprintdetecting portion.

Further, in accordance with the present invention, since the inputdevice is provided with a fingerprint detecting portion for detectingthe fingerprint of the user, and a shutter member in an opening portionwhich exposes the fingerprint detecting portion to the exterior, thefingerprint detecting portion can be closed by the shutter member whenfingerprint detection is not carried out. Accordingly, it is possible toprevent dust, etc. from being admitted to deposit on the fingerprintdetecting portion.

In addition, in accordance with the input device of the presentinvention, a metallic shutter member is provided, thereby making itpossible to remove static electricity charged on the finger of the userbefore fingerprint detection is performed. Accordingly, the fingerprintdetecting portion can precisely detect the fingerprint of the user.

1. An input device, comprising: a device body having an operating unitoperatively connected to a host device for carrying out operations ofthe host device; a loading portion in the device body; an openingportion in the device body; a fingerprint detecting IC card assembled inthe device body through the loading portion and operable to be exposedto the exterior of the device body through the opening portion, thefingerprint detecting portion serving to detect a fingerprint of a userwhen exposed; and a shutter member movable between a first position anda second position, wherein when the shutter member is in the firstposition the fingerprint detecting IC card is exposed to the exterior ofthe device body through the opening portion, and when the shutter memberis in the second position the shutter member overlays the openingportion so that the fingerprint detecting IC card is substantiallyshielded from the exterior of the device body.
 2. The input device asset forth in claim 1, wherein a side surface of the opening portion hasa projecting curve.
 3. The input device as set forth in claim 1 whereinthe shutter member includes an electrically conductive plate-shapedbody.
 4. The input device as set forth in claim 1, further comprising: aholding member pivotably supported within the device body; an actuatingmember assembled to the device body adjacent one end of the holdingmember, and being operable from an exterior of the device body; aprojecting portion formed at the other end of the holding member andadapted to engage the shutter member when the shutter member is in thefirst position; and a biasing member disposed in the device body forbiasing the shutter member toward the second position; wherein theprojecting portion engages the shutter member when the shutter member isin the first position to keep the shutter member from moving, and theactuating member is operable to release the projecting portion from theshutter member whereby the biasing member biases the shutter membertoward the second position to close the opening portion.
 5. The inputdevice as set forth in claim 1, further comprising: a biasing memberdisposed in the device body, the biasing member biasing the shuttermember toward the second position as the shutter member is moved fromthe second position toward the first position, and biasing the shuttermember toward the first position as the shutter member is moved from thefirst position toward the second position.
 6. The input device as setforth in claim 1, wherein the fingerprint detecting portion measuresdifferences in electrostatic capacity corresponding to fingerprintpatterns to thereby detect a fingerprint.
 7. The input device as setforth in claim 1, wherein the input device is a mouse device.
 8. Theinput device as set forth in claim 7, wherein the loading portioncomprises: an insertion hole in the device body sized that is shaped forinserting the IC card in an assembled position in the device body, theinsertion hole facing toward the operating unit on the device body. 9.The input device as set forth in claim 7, wherein the loading portioncomprises: an insertion hole in the device body sized that is shaped forinserting the IC card in an assembled position in the device body, theinsertion hole facing away from the operating unit on the device body.